North Korea’s Kim vows to bolster war readiness to repel US-led confrontations

By HYUNG-JIN KIM
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for bolstered war readiness to repel what he says are unprecedented U.S.-led confrontational moves in comments during a key political meeting tasked with setting state objectives for 2024. Kim’s comments, reported by state media, indicated once again that North Korea will likely continue weapons tests to modernize its nuclear arsenal. Observers say Kim likely hopes to eventually use his boosted arsenal as leverage in potential diplomacy with Washington, possibly after the United States presidential election in November 2024. During Wednesday’s session of the ruling party’s plenary meeting, Kim set forth tasks for the military and the munitions industry to “further accelerate the war preparations.”